Train pipe coupler



Sept. 15, 1942. R. T. LOWE TRAIN PIPE coUPLER Filed May 25, 1942 24Sheets-Sheet l- WM @0am Sept. 15, 1942. R. T. LWE 2,296,110

, TRAIN PIPE cUPLER l Filed May 25. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 AttorneyPatented Sept. 15, 1942 ii'l '2 Claims.

This invention relates te trai-n -pipe couplers vof a `generally similar4nature to that `constituting the subject matter of my United StatesPatent No; 1,625,370, issued April 19, 1927, upon which the presentdevice constitutes an improvement.

An important object of this invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a coupler of the aforementioned charactercomprising a novel combination and arrangement whereby a multiplicity offluid conduits may be expeditiously and securely connected ordisconnected between a pair of cars.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a trainpipe coupler of the character described comprising means wherebyelectric conductor wires may be conveniently connected between a pair ofcars.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a train pipe coupler ofthe character set forth which will be comparatively simple inconstruction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use,compact, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings whereinlike characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a train pipe coupler constructedin accordance with the present invention, showing the device installed.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, showing the supporting brackets inhorizontal section.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional View, taken substantially on the line 3 3of Figure l.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of one of the units, looking at theinner side thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a pairof opposed, complemental side abutting plates I of suitable metal. Theplates I are provided, on their end portions, with coacting interlockingmembers 2 and 3 for slidably securing said plates together.

Rods 4 project longitudinally from the outer ends of the plates I. Therods 4 extend slidably through openings 5 which are provided therefor inthe lower portions of supporting brackets 6 which depend from the shanks'I of a conventional car coupling 8. Expansion coil springs 9 encirclethe rods 4 and have one end engaged 'With the brackets 6 and their otherends engaged CTL CAD

with the plates I for yieldingly urging said plates ytoward each other.Chains I `suspend the inner portions Aolf the plates I from the coupling8.

Blocks I\'I 'arefpivotally mounted for limited swinging movement in ahorizontal plane on the outer sides of the plates I. Pipes I2 extendthrough the blocks II and project into chambers I3 in the opposed facesof the plates I. Collars I4 in the form of nuts are threadedly mountedon the inner end portions of the pipes I2 for engagement with each otherin a manner to provide a leakproof joint. Elbows I5 are threadedlymounted on the outer end portions of the pipes I2 for connection withthe several train pipes IB.

Levers I'I are also pivotally mounted for swinging movement in ahorizontal plane on the outer sides of the plates I, said levers beingadjacent the free ends of the blocks II. Links I8 connect the free endportions of the blocks I I to the levers I'I for actuation thereby. RodsI9 are pivotally connected to the levers I'I and extend slidably throughopenings 20 which are provided therefor in the brackets 6. Expansioncoil springs 2| are operatively connected to the rods I9 for actuatingthe levers I 1 in a direction to swing the blocks II inwardly againstthe outer faces or sides of the plates I.

L'ugs 22 are provided on the upper and lower portions of the blocks II.Mounted in the lugs 22 and insulated therefrom, as at 23, are bindingposts 24 which project horizontally into openings 25 which are providedtherefor in upper and lower portions of the plates I. Opposed nuts andwashers 26 are provided at intermediate points on the binding posts 24for electrically securing conductor wires thereto. The inner portions ofthe binding posts 24 extend slidably through insulating guide bushings2'I which are provided therefor in the openings 25 and are provided, ontheir inner ends, with contacts 28.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparentfrom a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the plates I are broughtslidably together and secured by the coacting members 2 and 3. Aspreviously stated, the coil springs 9 yieldingly urge the plates Itoward each other. As also previously set forth, the coll springs 2|cause the levers Il to swing the blocks I I inwardly against the platesI for tightly engaging the adjacent ends of the aligned pipes I2. Thus,the train lines I6 of the adjacent cars 29 are connected. Inwardmovement of the blocks II also engages the opposed pairs of contacts 28for electrically connecting the aligned binding posts 24,

It is believed that the many advantages of a train pipe couplerconstructed in accordance with the present invention will be readilyunderstood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is asillustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in thedetails of construction and in the combination and arrangement of partsmay be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A train pipe coupler of the character described comprising a pair ofopposed plates, means for detachably securing said plates together inside abutting engagement, means for supporting the plates between a pairof cars, blocks pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the outersides of the plates, pipes mounted in said blocks and projecting intothe plates, collars threadedly mounted on the inner end portions of thepipes,

elbows threadedly mounted on the outer end portions of the pipes forconnection with a plurality of train pipes, and resilient means forswinging the blocks inwardly against the plates for engaging the collarsfor establishing communication between the pipes on said blocks.

CII

2. A train pipe coupler of the character described comprising a pair ofopposed plates, means for detachably securing said plates together inside abutting engagement, means for supporting the plates between a pairof cars, blocks pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the outersides of the plates, pipes mounted in said blocks and projecting intothe plates, collars threadedly mounted on the inner end portions of thepipes, elbows threadedly mounted on the outer end portions of the pipesfor connection with a plurality of train pipes, and resilient means forswinging the blocks inwardly against the plates for engaging the collarsfor establishing communication between the pipes on said blocks, saidmeans including levers pivotally mounted on the plates, linksoperatively connecting the blocks to said levers for actuation thereby,rods pivotally connected to the free end portions of the levers, meansfor slidably supporting one end of said rods, and expansion coil springsoperatively connected to the rods for actuating the levers in onedirection.

RICHARD THOMAS LOWE.

